288 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. 
This derangement is usually caused by the presence of seeds, insects 
or bits of hay in the ear. . 
Symptoms.—The head hangs toward the affected side, the animal fre- 
quently shaking the ear, or rubbing it with the hind foot or against the wall; 
ear swollen, tender, and containing mucus or pus. 
TREATMENT.—If an insect is in the ear, it will come out upon pour- 
ing a little sweet oil into the ear; other foreign bodies should be removed; 
then inject into the ear, with a small syringe, a lotion of arnica, one part to 
ten of water. If pus or an abscess has formed, give mercurius, alone or 
alternately with hepar. Belladonna or pulsatilla will usually suffice for 
swelling and tenderness, without threatened ulceration, and for great pain. 
For offensive discharge of pus inject diluted carbolic acid into the ear. 
Arsenicum may be useful in case an abscess forms. 
CHOKING. 
Choking is easily recognized by feeling the obstruction in the gullet, 
by the difficult breathing, violent attempts to swallow, and the discharge of 
saliva from the mouth. Prompt action is imperative. 
TREATMENT.—An obstruction near the front part of the gullet may 
be removed by putting the hand, properly protected, into the throat and 
withdrawing it; but if it be too far down for this, take a strong stick, cane 
or willow, or still better, whalebone, four or five feet long, make it smooth, 
put on the end an egg-shaped bulb (the smaller end being attached to the 
stick), covered with soft leather and firmly fastened with strong strings, 
passing the string around the stick and back to the hand to prevent the 
bulb from remaining in the gullet if it should chance to slip off. With this 
instrument push the obstruction into the stomach. If the obstruction is 
reasonably soft, it may be crushed by carefully pressing the hands or two 
blocks of wood on its sides. In some cases it may be necessary for a sur- 
geon to open the gullet. The greatest care and gentleness should be exer- 
cised in crushing it or forcing it downward. 
POISONOUS PLANTS. 
Poison from plants may cause suffering and death, though it may not 
be easy to detect the poison“unless it is known that the animal has been 
among noxious vegetation, 
Symptoms.—Loss of appetite; numbness; much thirst; grinding teeth; 
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